Welcome back to another episode of Surviving and Thriving, the Breaking Badass Podcast. I’m your host, Bridget, speaking to you from Raleigh, North Carolina. Today, we’re delving into a deeply personal and complex topic: parental alienation. This is an issue that has shaped my life in profound ways, and I'm here to share my story and shed light on the broader implications of this controversial topic.

My Experience with Parental Alienation

Parental alienation is a deeply painful experience, one that I know all too well. Growing up, I was alienated from my mother—a situation that left lasting scars on my psyche and shaped the person I am today. For years, I struggled to understand the complex emotions and fractured relationships that stemmed from this alienation. It wasn't until I began to dig into my past, especially through therapy, that I began to piece together the full impact of what I had gone through.

The History and Controversy of Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS)

Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a term that first gained traction in the 1990s. Introduced by psychiatrist Richard Gardner, PAS describes a situation where one parent, often during a contentious divorce, manipulates a child to unjustly reject the other parent. While the concept of parental alienation is real and deeply troubling, PAS as a formal diagnosis has been met with significant controversy.

Critics argue that PAS has been misused in family courts, often to discredit valid claims of abuse or to paint a distorted picture of the relationships involved. Despite the controversy, the psychological impacts of parental alienation are undeniable and can have lasting effects on both children and parents.

My Journey of Revelation Through EMDR Therapy

One of the turning points in my journey was undergoing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This therapeutic approach, often used to treat trauma, helped me confront and process the deep-seated pain from my childhood. Through EMDR, I began to understand the extent of the alienation and its impact on my life.

The therapy not only helped me heal but also ignited a mission to uncover the full story of what happened during those formative years. I sought to obtain family court files and other records that would help me piece together the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

The Misuse of PAS in Family Courts

As I delved deeper into my past and the broader issues surrounding parental alienation, I discovered the troubling ways in which PAS has been used—or rather, misused—in family courts. Too often, the concept of PAS is weaponized to manipulate legal outcomes, rather than being used to genuinely protect the interests of the child.

This misuse can leave lasting effects on children, who are caught in the crossfire of parental conflicts. The psychological damage of being forced to reject a loving parent, or of being manipulated into believing that one parent is unworthy of love, can take years—if not a lifetime—to heal.

A Message of Solidarity and Hope

For those of you who have experienced or are currently navigating the painful reality of parental alienation, this episode is for you. I want to offer a message of solidarity: You are not alone. The path to healing is difficult, but it is possible. There are resources, professionals, and communities that can help you reclaim your narrative and move forward.

Whether you’re a parent who has been alienated from your child or a child who has been alienated from a parent, know that there is hope. Healing begins with understanding, and by sharing our stories, we can begin to break the cycle of pain that parental alienation creates.

Keep Thriving: Surviving is Just the Beginning

Thank you for joining me on this very deep and personal episode of Surviving and Thriving. I hope my story and the insights shared today can provide some comfort and guidance to those going through similar struggles. Please share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it, subscribe to the podcast for more content, and if you feel moved, leave a review.

Remember, surviving is just the beginning—keep thriving. Until next time, stay strong, and let's continue to break badass together.